Funded Research in Progress

The Sinclair Lab, Harvard University:

At the Sinclair Lab, research is being conducted on the use of a unique DNA repair compound AC-11 in combination with nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). The unique combination of these two ingredients may create the basis of an oral compound to be used by NASA in future space flight journeys in order to buffer and repair the damage to DNA caused by space radiation.

Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard University:

After meeting with Dr. Marasco, Dr. Giampapa agreed to have the foundation fund research specifically focused on using a unique strain of humanized mice to document the changes in the epigenome in minute detail, so as to be able to evaluate the efficiency of different drugs as well as DNA segments to alter the gene activity of cells to function more optimally during the aging process. The first drug to be tested will be Metformin, which has already shown signs of being a likely candidate for an anti-aging drug therapy in the near future.

Whitehead Institute:

Funding for the Institute was given to encourage its ongoing work with natural plant compounds that can have an impact on improving cellular function in aging cells.

Wellomics, Inc.:

Located at the University of New England, Wellomics™ believes that the tipping point of a new paradigm of consumer empowered evidence-based wellness is on the horizon. Wellomics™ focuses its efforts on natural products for the dietary supplement and food/beverage industry. Our Effect Positioning System (EPS) utilizes information flow analysis that includes all known drugs, cellular signaling pathways, adverse event reports, omics analyses, and other databases. Several publications in highly respected journals describe the early prototype system, initially developed for drug discovery and polypharmacy adverse event analyses. Wellomics™ IP adaptation of this system to the natural products industry fills the gap between unsubstantiated product claims and science evidence-based formulations with validated IP to ensure ROI.

Over the last five months, significant enhancements in the algorithms, ontologies, and data mining tools have made possible a truly unique platform that is generating significant insights in the development of new, game-changing natural health products. All ingredient choices are based on leading information technology to mine and analyze entire biochemosphere™ of over 290,000 natural products and OTC pharmaceuticals.

Moreover, systems pharmacology based screening paradigms have been implemented and used to identify preferred ingredients for more than sixteen new products. Currently, extensive data mining screening, hierarchical cluster analyses, and literature validations are being conducted in the design of new multifunctional natural products supporting healthy aging.

Da Vinci Biosciences, Inc.:

Funding to the lab at Da Vinci Biosciences is focused on new cell therapies that can remove senescent cells from the body and limit the production of their products that have been shown to accelerate aging in healthy cells. The same therapy has been shown to enhance immune function in senior and ill patients. Another focus of the funding has been to explore new means of epigenetic reprogramming of damaged and aging cells in order to restore them to optimal function once again. This is especially important for people post-chemotherapy.

The Elton John Foundation:

Aids is a disease that accelerates the aging process, and the recent donation to the Elton John Foundation was given to help with research for improving the life quality of patients with Aids, focusing on immune enhancement.

Feed a Billion:

Childhood malnutrition creates changes in the epigenome of children that last a lifetime, decreasing the quality of life and increasing the incidence of disease. By helping children get appropriate nutrition in early life, we can potentially decrease the incidence of disease as well as the cost of health care later on in life.